Itinerary

Days 1 & 2

Day 3

Pyramids / Great Sphinx

The Giza Pyramids — the last remaining of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — are the only vestiges from their time to survive in their original form. As part of our Nile River cruise itinerary, you have the option of entering a Pyramid and venturing through the narrow passageways to the burial chamber. Our day in Giza also includes a visit to the Sphinx and Solar Boat, a well-preserved funeral boat. If you choose, you can even ride a camel. Learn about modern life in Egypt during a private lecture from a local expert before gathering for a welcome reception and dinner at the Mena House Oberoi. (B,D)

Day 4

Sakkara / Memphis / Coptic Cairo

We visit Egypt’s ancient capital of Memphis, site of the limestone colossus of a young Pharaoh Ramses II, and of the Alabaster Sphinx. Our Egypt tour continues to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid Complex of King Djoser. Enjoy strolling though this historic and charming area on a guided tour of these extraordinary sites. Visit the Coptic Museum and the Hanging Church, suspended over the Roman fortress of Babylon, as well as Egypt’s oldest synagogue, the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Have a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant. Old Cairo, or “Coptic Cairo,” predates modern Cairo and was believed to be inhabited as early as the 6th century BC. A Christian stronghold for centuries, Coptic Cairo had as many as 20 churches in one square mile. Return to the Mena House for a relaxing evening. (B,L)

Day 5

Islamic Cairo / Antiquities Museum

We tour Islamic Cairo, seeing the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, then continue to the colorful Khan el-Khalily bazaar and enjoy a lunch of local specialties at Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant. Later, we have a guided visit to the Egyptian Antiquities Museum and see the treasures from the tomb of boy-king Tutankhamon and the Royal Mummies Room. (B,L,D)

Day 6

Cairo / Abu Simbel / Embark Amarco II

Our chartered private plane whisks us to the magnificent Temple of Abu Simbel, where we’ll also visit a smaller temple, dedicated to Ramses II’s favorite wife Nefertari. For the next stop on our Wings Over the Nile adventure, travel by private plane, saving hours of driving through the desert, to Aswan, site of the High Dam built to harness the power of the Nile. We transfer to the Amarco II for our four-night Nile cruise. Later, we enjoy a short jaunt aboard an Egyptian “felucca” (traditional sailboat). (B,L,D)

Day 7

Aswan / Cruising the Nile / Kom Ombo

This morning, we see the High Dam, the unfinished obelisk, and visit the Temple of Isis at Philae. Our Nile River cruise continues to Kom Ombo, a lovely Greco-Roman temple. We enjoy an Egyptian dinner and costumed “galabeya” (a long, loose Egyptian garment) party on board this evening. (B,L,D)

Day 8

Edfu / Cruising the Nile / Luxor

The ancient Greeks called the site of Edfu “Apollonopolis,” after the god Apollo. The nearly intact Temple of Horus is one of Egypt’s finest examples of Ptolemaic art. Next, we cruise a bit farther downstream to Luxor, on the Nile’s East bank at the site of ancient Thebes, where our ship will dock for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 9

Luxor

Spend the morning at the Luxor Museum. This wonderful museum has a beautifully displayed collection from the end of the Old Kingdom right through to the Mamluk period, mostly gathered from the Theban temples and necropolis. Explore the massive temples of Karnak and Luxor, including the immense Hypostyle Hall. (B,L,D)

Day 10

Luxor / Disembark Amarco II

A morning visit to Luxor’s West Bank brings us to the remote Valley of the Kings. Sixty-four of the Egypt’s rulers were buried here in ornate subterranean chambers. Our Wings Over the Nile tour itinerary also visits Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple, and we marvel at the Colossi of Memnon. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore on your own and spend tonight at the Sheraton Luxor. (B,L)

Day 11

Luxor / St. Catherine’s Monastery / Petra

Fly by chartered private plane to remote St. Catherine’s Monastery, in the Sinai Desert. Built in the 6th century in a dramatic setting at the foot of Mt. Moses, around what tradition holds to be the burning bush, the monastery holds priceless icons, illuminated manuscripts, paintings and hanging lamps. We take our chartered private plane to Aqaba, Jordan, and drive to Petra — the fabled city that lay hidden to the world until its 1812 discovery. You’ll enjoy a two-night stay at the Petra Mövenpick Resort. (B,L,D)

Day 12

Petra

Today we follow the Siq, a narrow, winding gorge, on a walking exploration that includes Petra’s impressive Treasury, royal tombs, colonnaded street, and amphitheater. The architecture itself is astonishing, yet the colors — deep rust, banded with grays, yellows, and every hue in between — are spectacular in their own right. Tonight, join in the fun with an interactive meal at Petra Kitchen. (B,D)

Day 13

Madaba / Mt. Nebo / Dead Sea

We drive through rolling countryside to Madaba, where there are remarkable Byzantine mosaics, and visit Mount Nebo — the site where Moses is said to have gazed on the Promised Land. We continue to the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa, located on the Dead Sea’s eastern shore. Enjoy the afternoon and evening to relax. You can float in the waters of the Dead Sea, use the swimming pool or try out the resort’s extensive spa services. Tonight, there is a festive farewell dinner to toast the journey. (B,L,D)

Day 14

Dead Sea / Jerash

We explore the well-preserved walls, colonnaded streets, temples, public baths, plazas, and theaters of ancient Greco-Roman Jerash. This portion of the Wings Over the Nile tour itinerary is kept flexible so that you can enjoy an afternoon at leisure at our Dead Sea resort. (B,L)